Manhunt underway for escaped San Benito County Jail inmate

Lea este articulo en español aquí.

UPDATED May 28 at 6:45 p.m.

A multi-agency effort is underway to capture Daniel Lopez Zavala, who escaped San Benito County Jail on May 28 at 1:53 a.m. 

Residents have been advised by San Benito County Sheriff’s Department in an advisory update. It stated, “We do not believe there is a specific threat to the public; however, due to his extensive criminal history (listed below) we are extremely motivated and determined to get him into custody quickly.”

“Anyone who sees him should exercise extreme caution,” the update said.

Daniel Lopez Zavala. Photo courtesy of San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.

San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor said during a press conference that Lopez Zavala was on janitorial service as part of a program that allows inmates to earn credits for time spent in the jail. 

He said staff was notified as Lopez Zavala was fleeing, adding that a K9 team tracked him to a building near the airport property. He said they found his pants in a field. 

“We have gone door-to-door,” Taylor said. “Monterey Sheriff’s SWAT team, who graciously provides service to this community, are actually doing a systematic search of the last place the dogs lost track of him and everything outward from there.”

Since all three dogs lost his track there, it could be indicative that he got into a car, Taylor said.

A San Benito County Sheriff vehicle blocks traffic into the Hollister airport. Photo by Noe Magaña.

“Luckily our friends at Hollister Police Department are helping us with their camera system to locate if and when he was picked up,” he said.

Lopez Zavala has an extensive arrest history. 

“He has weapons history, gang history, violent history,” Taylor said. “He has a history of attacks on jail staff, attacks inside custody. He has a history of escaping.” 

The sheriff clarified that he did not mean a history of escaping jail, but evading law enforcement in situations such as traffic stops.

San Benito County District Attorney Joel Buckingham told BenitoLink Lopez Zavala had been in custody for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, as well as misdemeanor charges involving drugs and not being compliant with peace officers. 

Buckingham said that prior to the escape, the District Attorney’s Office and Lopez Zavala’s lawyers were in discussions regarding a possible settlement before setting a jury trial. 

According to court records, Lopez Zavala also has a history of partner abuse and “cruelty to child by endangering health.” He pleaded no contest in that case and has not been sentenced, according to court documents.

Taylor said Lopez Zavala was booked Jan. 31 and was facing time in prison. 

The news release posted the current charges Lopez Zavala faces: “273A(B) PC- child cruelty (misdemeanor) 3455 PC – Parole Violation (felony) 11377(A) HS – Possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor -suspected methamphetamine). 11364(A) HS – Possession of drug paraphernalia X2 381B PC – Possession Nitrous Oxide (misdemeanor) 148(A)(1) PC- Obstruction of justice X3 (misdemeanor) 29800(A)(1) PC- Felon in possession of a firearm (felony) 33215 PC – Manufacturing short barrel rifle (felony) 30305(A)(1) PC – Prohibited ammunition Prior charges: 246 PC – Shooting into an inhabited dwelling 245(A)(2) PC- Gang-related assault with firearm 245(A)(1) PC – Assault with deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury 496(A) PC – receiving/possessing stolen property 4501 PC – Assault by prisoner X3 4502(A) PC -prisoner in possession of a weapon X2 3056 PC- Parole violation 29800(A)(1) PC – felon in possession of a firearm 30305(A)(1) PC – prohibited ammunition 25850(A)(1) PC -carrying a loaded firearm 182 (A)(1) PC – conspiracy 273.5 PC – domestic violence 243(D) PC Battery with serious bodily injury Amongst [sic] other similar charges dating back beyond 2002.’

“Our commitment to this community is that we’re not going to stop looking for him until we find him,” Taylor said. “And any friends and family that think they are going to help this individual, their custody will also be held accountable for any assistance that they give him.”

Taylor said the Hollister and King City police departments are also on the scene, as well as the California Highway Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard.

Secured facility?

While Taylor said the priority is to find and apprehend Lopez Zavala, an internal audit will be conducted to find out how he was able to escape the jail, which is considered a medium security facility.

He said Lopez Zavala was in a secured area under the watch of jail employees.

“I’m unhappy with what I’ve seen, that this individual had access to the area that he did,” Taylor said. “But he was in the cleaning crew and he was being watched by staff.”

He added that staff who monitor security cameras saw the event unfold and “immediately notified our patrol staff in the field.”

Taylor said that if the audit finds staff violated policy they will be held accountable. 

“The jail by design is a secure facility and it’s not something people are supposed to get out of unless we let them out,” Taylor said. “And in this case that didn’t happen, so I share the frustration and I’m open to the criticism.”

As for preventing more jail escapes, Taylor said the county needs more staffing. He said one employee monitors the security cameras for two separate facilities and a patrol team with two deputies were working at the time of the escape, making it difficult to set a perimeter.

“It’s an absolute frustration as a sheriff to be so resource-poor here, and it’s an alarm I’ve raised for years,” Taylor said.

He said the department didn’t have enough patrol cars when staff was called in to help with the manhunt. 

“I have people in unmarked cars we use for office staff out there looking for this person,” Taylor said.

Taylor told BenitoLink the last jail escape may have occurred in the 1980s when the jail was on Fourth Street.

The Sheriff Department asked in the news release, “Anyone with information is encouraged to call 831-636-4080. Additionally, people can text TIP SBCSO to 888777.”

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